Work
I am currently working as a games programmer for a company called Rareware. Based in the middle of nowhere (or near Nuneaton as its otherwise known). I started programming during my teens (I can't remember when exactly... it was a long time ago), my first programs being very basic QBasic text based games. I already had a strong passion for computer games from playing the NES and SNES that I had as a child. I had always wondered how they worked and had ideas about games I would like to make myself. The older I got the more sophisticated (I think that term may be flattering some of my earlier efforts) my programs became with projects ranging from modifications to existing games to small side projects just to get an idea of how things worked. However I always thought of working in video games as a lofty goal that I wouldn't be able to achieve!
I went to university at Warwick University where I graduated with a 1st class honors degree in Computer Science, however my Big Break came when a friend of mine asked if I wanted to enter as part of a team with him and 3 others called Dare to be Digital The competition is basically to make the best game you can in 10 weeks. You can read more about our entry, Airborne, in my Portfolio. Our game was pipped at the post to a prize however it got me an interview at Rare (a company I had dreamed of working for since playing Goldeneye on the N64) and eventually the job working on Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts (which you can read about in the Portfolio)
Play
Outside of work my main interest is computer games. I've been known to play pretty much anything ranging from RPGs to Racing Games. Gun to my head I would say the best game I have ever played is Super Mario World on the SNES. Regardless of how many times I come back to it I have fun and feel as compelled to explore as I did the first time I played it and I strive to make the games I make as good as it
Outside of computer games I also enjoy skiing and playing football. I am a Liverpool and England supporter and watch them whenever I can. However I would probably say my favourite sport is Motorsport. On the rare occasions that I can I enjoy Go Karting and whenever it is on TV I will watch Formula One.
I doubt anyone has read to this bit at the bottom, but if for some crazy reason you have and want to know more you can get in touch with me by emailing moc.liamg@nostawihcir
Rich